Press Release nr98-138Press Release · Wednesday, September 2, 1998

College Park, MD...Genealogists, scholars, government agency officials, and others who use the services and facilities of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) are invited to a public meeting to discuss their needs and concerns.

The meeting will take place on Friday, September 25, 1998, from 5:15 P.M. to 5:45 P.M., in the Rubloff Auditorium at the Chicago Historical Society, located on the northeast corner of Clark Street and North Avenue. This is the second space planning meeting that NARA has held in the Chicago area and will immediately follow the close of the Civil War symposium, co-sponsored by NARA and the Chicago Historical Society. Individuals interested in attending the meeting do not have to be symposium participants.

These meetings are part of a series at which NARA is seeking public input for a study of its space needs for the next 10 years. NARA representatives will explain the reasons for undertaking a space plan, its objectives, and the planning process, and will invite comments and answer questions.

NARA is the Federal governments records keeper. It maintains more than 20 million cubic feet of records in 2 large archival facilities in the Washington, DC area, 10 Presidential libraries, and 18 regional records services facilities across the nation. Through these facilities, NARA carries out its public mission to promote ready access to essential evidence that documents the rights of citizens, the actions of Federal officials, and the national experience. NARA safeguards records on which both the accountability of our government and the accuracy of history depend.

Although advance notice is not required, persons planning to attend the meeting are asked to let NARA know by calling (773) 581-7816 or sending an e-mail to david.kuehl@chicago.nara.gov.

In addition to helping NARA with its planning, this meeting is part of a National Performance Review initiative called Conversations With America: My Government Listens. NARA urges everyone interested to attend.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.